Reviews (15)

A blend of technique and journal...
This book is a blend of personal insights and techniques that shows not just what it takes to be a master carpenter, but the path this particular one took to get there.The book reads like a cross between tips and tricks of the trade and a diary.

IF YOU LIKE NORM....
I originally bought this book just because Norm Abrams wrote it and I am a big fan of THIS OLD HOUSE and THE NEW YANKEE WORKSHOP.But, it is an engaging read and one I find myself going..."ahhhhhhhhhh" or "ahhhhhhhh, hahhhhhhhhhh!" to. Add it to your "toolbox." It will help you be better at whatever you do.
A Peek Inside Norm's Toolbox
Norm Abram is the much admired and even beloved host of the PBS show New Yankee Workshop and a longtime fixture on This Old House. In Measure Twice, Cut Once, we get a peek inside Norm's extensive toolbox, as Norm simply talks tools -- his likes, his dislikes, and, of course, more than a few helpful tips.
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Subjects:  1. Cabinetwork    2. Carpentry    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Furniture    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Woodwork    9. Woodwork - General    10. Woodworking    11. House & Home / Woodworking   

Editorial Review

Most Americans are pack rats, and Mary Emmerling seems to be noexception, but Read more

Reviews (5)

Inspiration generation
I have a shelf full of "country" decorating books, but this is the one I pick up most often when I worry that things around here have been the same for too long. It's full of little ideas that can make it look as if you have spent longer re-vamping than you have done. Some of the suggestions are more long term and perhaps Mary shouldn't try to catagorise them as "quick" projects, but she has loads of quick ideas to perk up rooms around the house. Fantastic Book - full of inspiration!
I loved this book! The many different styles covered by Mary (everythingfrom Southwestern to Shabby Chic) was my initial reason for purchasingQuick Decorating. Also, this book is filled with many examples for placingand arranging ordinary items for an extraordinary look! I refer to thisbook often for inspiration and loan it to friends when they are in need ofsome too!

Another Mary Emmerling gem!
Don't pass this one up.It is full of excellent, easy to achieve ideas ondecorating and living comfortably.Whatever you collect and whatever yourlifestyle, Mary helps refine it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House furnishings    5. Interior decoration    6. Interior design    7. Home furnishing & decoration    8. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

"For those who love flowers, their rhythms and rituals become part of life itself," says English designer Tricia Guild. Flowers are a symbol of passion and emotion that few remain untouched by; the fleeting scent of a rose or curve of a lily's stem can evoke powerful memories. This book speaks to those emotions. Rather than being a guide to producing fancy arrangements, it's about truly looking at flowers, seeing the joy inherent in a bowl of riotously colorful zinnias or a single midnight-blue delphinium. James Merrell's luminous photography peers deep into the mysterious purple heart of the anemone and lifts the sunlight from the soft petals of a cyclamen. Quotations from writers and artists turn this small, perfect coffee-table book into a perfect gift book for lovers of literature as well as lupines. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

On the fence.....
This is a great coffee table book .... the photographs are beautiful, the quotes fitting and Ill probably get many years of enjoyment out of looking at it from time to time. However, I thought this book (through its photos) was going to give me some ideas on simple flower arranging and container choices. Instead, the photos are of macro shots of flowers, so close up that you really cant see the detail of the containers at all. What this book has done is given me some insight on some different flowers to ask for when I go to the market to pick them up, or plants to ask the nursery about when I pick out flowers for my garden next spring. Anyone who enjoys flowers will love this book, just don't get it with the hopes that you will get any arranging ideas from it. All in all, a gorgeous book that puts me in a cheery mood just by looking at it :)

Beautiful book, Very Inspirational!
For the Painters out there who love the world of colour this book is a must have.

A gorgeous, inspiring book for anyone...
...especially flower lovers. The photographs are stunning and visuallydelicious; the quotes fitting. The commentary is appropriately minimalist,so as not to distract from the images, it seems. I love this book -- simplybeautiful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Flowers - General    6. Gardening    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Pictorial works    9. Symbolism of flowers    10. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Reviews (2)

lap quilting
This is a book that can be saved and enjoyed over and over.

Georgia Bonsteel makes it easy.
I found this book to be well written and informative.The quilt patterns range from simple to complex for beginners and the more experienced quilter.For those of you who are beginners, invest in a rotary cutter system for this will make redundant cutting of pieces much faster andeasier.I did find that I needed to purchase some extra yardage of fabricsdue to my choice in color and arrangements, keep this in mind if you shouldchose to vary from the colors used in the book.I would have liked to seepointers on how to handle complex intersections in some of the starpatterns that would have made them lay nicer.I had to learn by trial anderror.(Practice with scraps on these until you feel you have it down.) All in all I found this volume to be well laid out with beautifulphotography and helpful. The abundance of available pattern pieces wasgenerous and should keep the reader busy attempting to recreate thewonderful quilts depicted in the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Patchwork    5. Patterns    6. Quilt Making    7. Quilting    8. Quilts & Quilting    9. Textile arts   

Reviews (4)

Allergies Lead Me to Soy
At the recommendation of my grandmother, I purchased this book for help in preparing recipes prepared with soy.I was diagnosed with many allergies and I can no longer eat dairy products, corn, mushrooms, etc. (that's only the beginning, the list goes on!).I knew about tofu but I didn't know what to do with it.Using this book as a guide, I prepared a spinach lasagne following the ingredience for spinach ravoli (pg. 35).It was delicious, if I don't say so myself!I would definitely recommend this cookbook. I like using it as a guide to help with new ideas in food preparation.Bona Petite!

Food-Snob Friends
I loved this book. I've been a vegetarian for years, and have had to livewith the scorn of my food-snob friends, many of whom wouldn't come to myhouse for dinner parties. So I cooked a feast of Ginsberg's recipes andimpressed them all-finally. The Chinese food is especially tasty, althoughthe biscotti was terrific. I brought it to work and everyone ate it up.

Do not waste your money
The recipes are time intensive and many are tasteless.Health food does not deservice the badrap. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery, International    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Diets - Special Conditions    5. Health & Healing - General    6. Health & Healing - Low Fat    7. Health & Healing - Weight Control    8. Low-fat diet    9. Recipes    10. Vegetarian cookery   

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Health Care    3. Health Care Issues    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home Maintenance And Repair    6. House & Home    7. Reference    8. Repair    9. House & Home / Reference   

Reviews (1)

The Best
This is such a great book! I didn't know what to do first. Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas cookery    2. Christmas cooking    3. Christmas decorations    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Decorating - General    7. Handicraft    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Seasonal    10. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

The only book of its kind, it helps to have a chem degree!
This is an excellent book, I recommend it to anyone who wishes to preparewine from scratch. The book is written for the reader with knowledge ofbasic science concepts, especially a chemistry degree.

Whether planting one vine or one thousand, read this book!
Jeff Cox does what so few writers can do;he makes viticulture sointeresting that you won't want to put this book down.That's saying alot! The complete guide to growing grapes & making your own wine.
With enthusiasm and clarity, the author leads his readers, from the amateur to the accomplished winemaker, in his or her quest for flawless grapes and extraordinary wine.The process is not as daunting as it may seem.What matters most is finding the grape that gives wine you like and which thrives and ripens (consistently) in your climate.The author goes on to describe vineyard siting, soil preparation, culture, pruning, trellising, and pest control.Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. United States    6. Viticulture    7. Wine and wine making    8. Wines   

Reviews (1)

You are better off with a Home Depot book!
I usually like the TV program and after watching an episode where Debbie transforms an old door into a beautiful headboard I wanted to buy the book to follow up on the idea. However the book is more of a portfolio of Debbie's work. Sadly the project I'm interested on only takes one page, very brief directions amd doesn't show the before and after. The step by step instructions are very simple, you need to be knowledgeable of the matter to be able to do anything. I would hope from books of this sort more trick and tips of the trade. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedrooms    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Interior decoration    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Editorial Review

Susan Spungen, the founding food editor of Read more

Reviews (4)

Refresh Your Receipe Collection
Many flavorful and some simple to prepare meals for the new or bored cook who needs some fresh ideas. She includes excellent versions and variations on classics, The directions for food preparation are clear and complete.

Excellent Essays on Familiar Recipes, Beautifully Packaged
`RECIPES, a collection for the modern cook' by former `Martha Stewart Living' Editorial Director for food and entertaining, Susan Spungen is the answer to my question over what Miss Susan was doing with herself since her name disappeared from the `Martha Stewart Living' masthead. Miss Spungen was one of the very few `Martha Stewart' staffers who commonly appeared on `In Martha's Kitchen' when it ran on the Food Network before Ms. Martha went into the slammer. Since Ms. Spungen was obviously had talent in converting information about food into good magazine features, I expected her name to pop up somewheres. Well, here it is, as the author of a book with either the most unoriginal or the most clever of titles for a cookbook since Apicius.
It's a keeper, but ...get out your magnifying glass!
This book has received quite a bit of high praise (NY Times gave it a glowing review) and it's easy to understand why: the book itself is beautiful and the recipes are fresh, really delicious and not too complicated. It is readily apparent that Ms Spungen was once an employee of Martha Stewart, as aside from Martha penning the book's forward, you can see the "MS Esthetic" throughout the book. This unfortunately includes a typeface that is really too small and it makes the book a tough read. I assume that I'm like most people in that I read a recipe carefully (OK, sort of carefully) before cooking and then refer back to it a dozen times on the fly while in the kitchen. (And no, I'm not yet of an age where I need reading glasses!) But having to stop and fumble around until I can read detracts from all the book has to offer. That said, this is one of those cookbooks that makes a terrific wedding shower gift or housewarming gift to someone in their first apartment: the recipes will become workhorses in anyone's repertoire, but while you're at it buy them a magnifying glass too. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Entertaining - General    5. General    6. Methods - General    7. Cooking / Entertaining   

Reviews (17)

She Sticks to One Style
This book is for people who like lots of color, and the shabby chiccottage type of look (painted furniture, painted hardwood floor, etc). I was hoping she would offer paint ideas for a wide array of decorating styles which she does not.
Not as good as some of her other books
I Enjoy watching Debbie on Painted Houses and Facelift. She is not afraid of color and seems to be able to decorate in various styles. I bought her Living Rooms book and think it is one of the best. This one is not up to par. Many of the projects use garish wall colors. I am not adverse to color - I have it all through my house, but I think many of her choices don't blend well and don't seem to complement each other.
I do not know if I could actualy do these things myself, but I am getting ideas
So, anyhow, we are thinking about building a new house and towards that goal we started doing three things this summer.First, we put up three poster boards on the wall in the kitchen where we could jot down ideas for each room of the house.Second, on Sunday afternoon we go looking at open houses in the area.Third, we made HGTV our default television channel; if we are not watching anything else that is what we watch, which means that most days we get a double dose of Debbie Travis.Specifically that would be the half-hour "Debbie Travis' Painted House" and the full-hour "Debbie Travis' Facelift." Now, the second and third points are some of the ways we come up with things to put down on the posters, along with correcting aspects of our current living situation and memories of homes past.But I also have to admit that I got to the point where if I did not hear Debbie Travis each day, my day was not complete.It is not just the accent, but the unique cadence to her way of talking that we call "Debbie speak" around the house.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decorating - Painting/Wallpapering    5. Furniture painting    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. House painting    9. Interior decoration    10. Texture painting    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

Not an old book, but out of date
Nancy Zieman is a Baby Lock dealer, so this book is heavily slanted in that direction.If you have a Baby Lock, it might be very useful.It is full of very pretty pictures, but not all that much useful information.We beginners need a book that is not an advertisement for a certain kind of machine.What is really needed is a "Machine Embroidery for Dummies" type book since the introduction of the Singer Futura and Quantum Futura machines which run off your computer have made it possible for so many more of us to afford embroidery machines.It's a whole new ballgame, and there are going to be a whole lot more players than ever before!Save your money and keep looking for a book with more substance.

Best Book "Ever"
I have purchased many machine embroidery books.This one by far is the best in every way.This is a must have for every machine embroidery person. Nancy Zieman did a great job on this one.

Dena from Michigan
I think this book is a very excellent book for not only beginners but for experienced alike.It goes into details that are very helpful in learning as well a refresher.I enjoy everything that Nancy has ever offered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Embroidery   

Reviews (1)

Lots of simple suggestions to add character to your home.
I am not the type to spend a lot of time pouring over decorating books,nor am I particulary "handy".When we recently purchased a smallvacation rental, I found myself in need of nice, comfortable, affordabletouches for each room.This book provided just the suggestions I needed:simple, feasible (both in effort and economics) and inventive. Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating    2. Decorating - General    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Interior decoration    7. Interior design    8. Home furnishing & decoration    9. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (7)

Not very good.What a waste
Try the Margaret Roach book which is excellent or even a Jerry Baker book.Martha probably enever did any real gardening in Nutley, NJ.

Actually attainable ideas for the "average" gardener!
I know, I know, this is Martha's stuff, the woman we all love to hate!However, the book is arranged in a friendly fashion, giving a month-by-month tour of her gardens, with information on typical chores she will expect from her gardeners that month! Good student, but could try harder
Over here in England, we are just beginning to be included in the Martha Stewart 'empire'.(Of cousre we have our own home grown lifestyle gurus, but I think a toughie like Martha could wipe the floor with the lot ofthem!)As a keen gardener I was eager to get my hands on this book tolearn more about American gardening plants and styles, and ideas; to mysurprise this book is in essence a rehash of the work of the very EnglishPenelope Hobhouse, Rosemary Verey and Christopher Lloyd!Still, a goodbook, and a good read, despite the photographic quality not being up to theusual standards for garden books.Read more

Subjects:  1. Connecticut    2. Cookery    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. General    7. Horticulture (General)    8. Gardening / General   

Reviews (4)

Just awful - nothing turned out!
I gave a small dinner party for neighbors and nothing turned out.Our best friends also became ill.

The whole menu
I've had this book for a number of years and everytime I have company or want to spoil my husband I pull out this MS classic. I have the whole meal planned, take the xeroxed pages shopping, and I have a great dinner. No guessing what side dish goes with what. I truly appreciate the planning that went into this edition and the recipes are excellent.

One of her best!
This is my favorite Martha Stewart book - and I have several. The menus are original but yet not over the top. I have actually tried and used the recipes - and have been asked for them - which to me is the ultimate compliment. The pictures are great - this is a book you will actually use - instead of just reading and putting back into your cookbook library. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Entertaining    4. Entertaining - General    5. Menus    6. Tablesetting    7. Cooking / Entertaining    8. General cookery   

Editorial Review

A domestic dervish whose Read more

Reviews (5)

Good purchase
Exactly the book I was looking for - great photos, good hints, clear explanations. A pleasure for the eyes!

Nice, but nothing to get hugely excited about.
Roehm makes pretty things and to do that she relies upon items such as hellebores (a winter-blooming flower) which are quite hard for the average person to find.If her projects were less work or so dazzling that you didn't mind running all over East Overcoat to find the necessary components, then I'd be more enthusiastic about this book.As it stands, it's kind of a pricey picture book.I'd recommend Tracy Porter or Martha Stewart for a more hands-on experience.

VIVE LA DIFFERENCE!
WHAT A TERRIFIC BOOK! This is"la creme de la creme" and i find it very difficult when other reviewers compare her product with Martha Stewart's line!It is as if we compare Opera with Andrea Bocelli,this collection of notebooks are so refined and so classic at the same time thati rediscover them each time i need them. The winter notebook giveswonderful ideas of presents for the guests and the flower arrangments areone of a kind. The level of artistry is demonstrated in each pages andplaces Carolyne Roehm as one of the most elegant designer of all. I alsoappreciate the fact that Carolyne Roehm understands the need of elegance inthe day-to-day life and that it doesn't have to be expensive. I'm a youngOpera singer and in my field you receive a lot of flowers and with thisbook i was able to create wonderful bouquets and appreciate another form ofart. I admire her flair and her sense of style, for me Carolyne Roehm isnot only a designer but a real artist who search for the very best in everydetail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Cookery    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Entertaining - General    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Gardening    8. General    9. House & Home    10. Seasonal    11. Gardening / Flowers / General    12. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    13. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (10)

Has many helpful tips if not a systematic guide
This book is not a detailed lawn program for lawn care.It is more or less a collection of articles and tips on lawn care.I certainly found many useful tips and helpful advice as I read through the book.However, in reading it front to back you will find that Mr. Baker differs in some small details from one presentation to the next, but his overall conception of what goes into a good lawn remains quite consistent throughout. The greenest grass imaginable
I bought this book for my husband.He follows it faithfully, and you can see the results in our yard.We have the most beautiful, lush grass in the neighborhood - which seems to be a miracle, since our yard was an overgrownfield just two years ago.Jerry Baker provides simple ways to establishand maintain your lawn.I also appreciate the fact that we do not have togo to a gardening store to find the items recommended in his book.

It might be easier to be green than you think!
I'm sure my fellow gardeners have noticed how a nicely tended strip of grass sets off a garden bed perfectly! Designers say our eyes need a place to rest before we can see all the beauty in front of us. Although mostpeople make their New Years resolutions in December or January, I promisemyself every July I am going to do something about my grass.....somethingother than dig it all up. We've all seen Jerry Baker on television sprayingammonia and dish soap all over his yard...I find it very intriguing.Jerry's book on lawn care has a ton of info to offer..and true enough it isa little hard to follow sometimes, but most people will not do everythinganyway. For my poor lawn anything is an improvement, so if you aretask-oriented, schedule based and really really care about your lawn thisbook should be very helpful. There are a lot of chemicals included in theregimen so beware if you like me avoid them. But there is a lot here thatwill be used on my own little patch of soon to be healthier grass. If youwant more details, reviews of other gardening books or simple little gardenmusings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Gardening/Plants    3. Grasses    4. Lawns    5. Gardening / Lawns   

Subjects:  1. Design    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens    6. Home Gardening    7. Landscape    8. Landscape gardening    9. Ornamental Plants    10. Plants, Ornamental    11. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (1)

Still up-to-date in 2005!
We're doing our own restoration of an historic house in Pennsylvania, and so I picked up this book from 1980 to see how much things had changed in 25 years -- and they haven't changed at all!The carpentry, the plumbing, the insulation, everything they mention in this book, we're doing on our project.The only thing that has changed is the cost -- we're spending ten times what they did, although our project is much larger.If you're into old houses, the book is a fun read, and the picture of Bob Vila in a plaid shirt installing orange countertops is worth the price alone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Dwellings    3. House    4. Remodeling    5. Repairing   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. 21st century    3. Architectural & Industrial    4. Architecture    5. Art    6. Commercial buildings    7. History    8. Interior architecture    9. International Architecture - Asian    10. Japan    11. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    12. Techniques - Airbrush    13. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc